Device for radiating the mouth



y 5, 1959 F. GRASSO DEVICE FOR RADIATING THE MOUTH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 15, 1957 *INVENTOR. FzeA/vz Gm 550 Wm ZLM.

May 5, 1959 F. GRASSO DEVICE FOR RADIATING THE MOUTH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1957 INVENTOR. FQANK 6 42/4650 BY A rroQA E Y5 United States Patent DEVICE FOR RADIATING THE MOUTH Frank Grasso, Newark, N J.

Application March 15, 1957, Serial No. 646,398 4 Claims. (Cl. 128-395) This invention relates to a device used for oral hygiene in connection with ultraviolet, infrared rays and the like, and refers more particularly to an ultra-ora-beam device.

Numerous attempts have been made to devise an oral hygiene ray device which is formed in such a manner so that the user is comfortably disposed while subjecting the oral cavity to radiation. However, most of the prior attempts have not yielded a thoroughly satisfactory and practical solution to the problem. Most of the expedients presented by the prior art have been formed by unwarranted obstructions and protuberances. Gradual conditioning of the facial muscles and reflexes were consequently delayed and the usefulness of prior expedients hav therefore been found to be unbeneficial.

The therapeutic value of the suns rays in addition to ultraviolet radiation has been thoroughly studied and the observations uncovered have attributed certain of these rays to cause a synthesis of Vitamin D from a precursor in the skin.

The variation in distribution and intensity of radiation from the sun or from artificial sources permits transmission by various makes of glass which may be of special composition. Certain compounds coated on a highly polished metal structure have also been offered as expedients for transmission of active rays.

It istherefore an object of the present invention to provide for the conveyance of rays, such as sun, ultra-violet and infrared rays into the human mouth cavity particularly to the teeth and gums.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the transmission of radiation to the teeth and gums by means of a highly polished metal frame structure insorted into and held in an operative position by the coaction of lips and teeth while the mouth cavity is exposed to the source of the radiation.

Still a further object is to provide a passage for the radiation to reach and influence the teeth and gums.

- Another object of the present invention is to provide for greater movement of the lower jaw bone while the ultraara-beam is held in an operative position.

Still another object is to provide a greater period of :olerance while the ultra-ora-beam is held in an operrtive position.

Yet a further object is to provide for a decrease in the verall rigidness to allow a certain amount of compression vhen the ultra-ora-beam is held by the sides between the ndex finger and thumb of one hand.

Other objects of the present invention will become apaarent during the course of the following specification.

In the attainment of the aforesaid objectives the inentive concept of the present invention may be realized hrough the provision of an oral hygiene device which nay be inserted into the oral cavity to maintain the upper and lower jaw in an open position while rays of the sun r the like are conveyed to the highly polished metal rame structure and are deflected toward the teeth and gums.

LA fuller understanding of the present invention may be ICC had by referring to the following descriptionl'taken in.

conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing, by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the novel device constituting the inventive concept of. the present in vention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the present in vention constituting an ultra-ora-beam device.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the ultra-ora-beam device showing the teeth positioned properly therein.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view in section of the ultra-ora-beam device inserted in an operative position.

Figure 6 is a front elevational view in section showing the ultra-ora-beam device in an operative position.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the ultra-orabeam device showing the flexibility of the muscle ex-' tenders.

Figure 8 is a plan view partly in section showing another form of the ultra-ora-beam device.

Figure 9 is a side view showing the other form of.

the ultra-ora-beam device of Figure 8.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, reference numeral 10 indicates an ultra-ora-beam device, and like referencenumerals indicate like parts. The ultra-orabeam device has a front frusto-cone shaped portion 11 which is bordered along its side surfaces by a side portion 12 to form a trapezoidal structure 13, shown in Figure 4. Adjacent to the side surface 12 is another frusto-conical shaped portion 14, which has a side surface 15. The sides 12 and 15 therefore form a common point 16a to each other and create a trough 16 to accommodate the facial muscles, as shown in'Figure 5.

The side surface 15 of the frusto-conical shaped portion 14 is substantially smaller in length than side surface 12 of frusto-conical shaped portion 11. It is apparent from this construction that side surfaces 12 and 15' are also integrally formed and are sufficiently angled to accommodate the gums and facial muscles conveniently, as shown in Figure 5. I

Integrally connected to the fru'sto-conical shaped portion 14 are two muscle extenders l7 and 18 which are disposed opposite each other and at opposite ends of the frusto-conical shaped portion 14. As shown in Figure 6,

an angle CDE, as shown in Figure 1, and which is not less than degrees. The inside metal polished surface A and B form an angle C'DE of 240 degrees.

The extremities 22 and 23 of muscle extenders 17 and 18, respectively, are of such dimension so as to conveniently retain the upper and lower jaw in an open operative position when the ultra-ora-beam device inserted into the oral cavity.

Intermediate the muscle extenders 17 and His a triangular dome 25 as shown in-Figure 4mm its tapering construction is designed so as to impart a degree of flexibility to the device upon insertion into the oral cavity. The muscle extenders 17 and 18 thereforewill compress. inwardly as shown in-Figure 7 when they are held between .theindexfinger and thumb of one hand bysimu1- I Patented May 5, 1959 01' taneously applying slight pressure thereon. When the pressure is'released, the muscle extenders 17' and 18' will return to their original shape.

The muscle extenders 17 and 18 as shown in Figure 4 are wider at their point of origin 28 integrally connected" with the rear surfaces of frusto=conicaf shaped portion 14.

The length of the muscle extenders 17 and 18 are of sufficient length to accommodate the second upper and lower molar teeth between the base of' the triangular dom'e'2'5 which serves as an obstructionto' direct emitting rays toward the teeth and gums- The hintermost portion of the oral device illustrates the dome 25' as shown in Figure 3 to be crescent-shaped, the widest portion being at the outermost extremity of the dome 25 in. order to accommodate the angular increase of teeth formation toward the rearward portion of. the oral cavity.

Intermediate dome 2S. and the muscle extenders 17 and 18 is an open portion 29 to allow the teeth and gums to be exposed to the emitting rays during treatment.

The radiation and. transference are more fully illustrated in Figure 3 wherein rays R and R strike the side gums and teeth; rays R R and R are deflected toward the teeth and gums by the highly polished metal surface of the triangular dome 25.

Rays R and R strike the inner surfaces of side 12 wherein they reflect to the upper and lower gums and teeth as shown in Figure 5.

The side surfaces 12 push away the upper lips 26 and lower lips 27, thereby allowing the reflected rays R and R to strike the forefront portions of the upper and lower gums and teeth as shown in Figure 3.

The following symbols shown in the drawing have the following designations:

R reflects to the upper teeth and gums, thence toward the rear part of the oral cavity.

R reflects to the upper teeth and gums, thence toward the front part of the oral cavity.

R reflects to the upper gums, thence toward the top part of the oral cavity.

R reflects to the lower gums, thence toward the bottom part of the oral cavity.

R reflects to the forefront portion of the upper teeth and gums.

R reflects to the upper teeth and gums, thence toward the rear part of the oral cavity.

R7 reflects to the forefront portion of the lower teeth and gums.

R reflects to the upper teeth and gums that are midway between the front and rear portions of the oral cavity.

R reflects the same as R Reflection of indicated rays from metal surface.

Internal surfaces illustrated by the designations I, K and L in Figure 1 are all highly polished metal surfaces.

The internal surfaces, as shown in Figure 2, A, B, D, C, E, F, G, H, and I are all highly polished metal surfaces. Surface A forms an angle of 240 degrees with surface B; surface C forms an angle of 240 degrees with surface D; surfaces A and B connect to I by means of H and G; surfaces C and D connect to I by means of F and E, and the external surface of M of the triangle dome 25 is roughly polished.

Angle FGH in Figure 4 is 90 degrees and angle FG'H (inside polished surface K and I) is 270 degrees.

Lines AB and AB' are both parallel to line A"B" in Figure 8, line A'B' forms the bottom of a horizontal trough while angle A"DC is not less than 60 degrees with horizontal line AB".

A rubber cushion 24 as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4

and is firmly disposed on each crescent shaped side portion 15 of the frusto-conical shaped portion 14 inter mediate muscle extenders 17' and 18;

Another form .ofthe ultrasora-heamdevice 30..is constituted of a triangular dome 33 which completely shields the lower teeth byan integrally formed portion 34' as shown in Figure 9 while the opposite side 35 of the ultraora-beam device 30 has an open space 35 to accommodate the upper teeth for exposure to radiation. It is apparent that this construction may be used to treat either the upper or lower jaw. Its position in the oral cavity may be reversed dependingupon the portion undergoing treatment. As shown in Figure 9, a tooth stabilizer 36 is securely fixed to the shielding portion 34.

Operation: By means. of. the third finger and thumb of one hand the ultra-ora-beam device is held. with the front frusto-conical shaped portion 11 facing the plain palm of the hand. holding it. The compression applied to the sides of the device by means of the index finger and thumb of one hand merely indicates the flexibility of the device. When pressure is exerted by the corner lip muscles of the mouth upon the sides of the device during the introduction. and removal of the device from the mouth, the same. flexibility is obtained though the fingers were applying the same pressure. As illustrated inFigure 7, the flexibility of the sides is easier to visualize in this manner rather than illustrating the same in the oral. cavity. As shown in Figure 7, the compression is attained by the sure use of the tips of the fingers at a point where leverage effect is at a minimum. Hence, the sides can be bent as easily by the corner lip muscles when the device is introduced and removed from the mouth. As the oral cavity is opened to receive the device, the rear corner closest to the thumb is first inserted into the oral cavity. The device is then frictionally rotated against the corner lip closest to the thumb and. further inserted into the oral cavity by pulling the opposite corner lip with the index finger of the free hand.

sufficiently to allow complete insertion of the rear portion of the device. gradually until the lips overlap and fall into the depression of the trough 16, with the rubber cushions against the gums. It is now in an operative position.

At first the oral cavity produces. an increase in saliva as well as a gagging sensation when a foreign bulk is introduced. This is a natural tendency since conditioning reflexes normally repel foreign substances. After a few trials, the mouth adapts itself to receive the device.-

When the device is inserted into the oral cavity, the

cheek muscles 31 and 32 as shown in Figure 6 are restrained fromv contact with the device by means of muscle extenders 17 and 18. The user faces the source of radiation so that the center axis of the front frusto-conical portion is parallel to the rays emitted by the sun or by an ultraviolet source. After a period of time exposure the oral cavity will begin to feel the sensation of the radiation. This indicates suflicient exposure.

To remove the device, with the lips and teeth relieved of their grip on the device, the front frusto-conical portion is grasped and pulled forward gradually until the mouth is fully relieved of the device. With the center axis of the front frusto-conical portion held in an operative position, the amount of incoming rays conveyed to the oral cavity is slightly less than the total amount which strike the area governed by the perimeter of the front frusto-conical portion,

Since the rays are reflected into the oral cavity they will strike various sections of the oral cavity initially with less intensity as compared to initial entrance of the rays to the area governed by the perimeter of the front frusto-conical portion.

The horizontal trough illustrated in Figure 8 and formedv by lines A'B' and AB" provides an increased horizontal area thereby permitting radiation to enter and to strike both sides of the oral cavity directly toward the rear portion. of the teeth and gums. When turning. the head toward either the right or left side, the area undergoing treatment. is nott since the. hori- The device is then further inserted zontal increase is compensated by the vertical decrease thus keeping the area constant.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact disclosure herein-described but may lend itself to a variety of expressions within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A frame structure insertable into the oral cavity for use in connection with emitting source rays, said structure being held in an operative position by the coaction of the lips and teeth and comprising a front frustoconical shaped portion, lip retaining means integral with said front frusto-conical shaped portion for maintaining the upper and lower jaws in an operative position, two muscle extenders connected with said lip retaining means and engaging opposed facial muscles of the user in said operative position, and a flexible dome located between said muscle extenders and connected therewith.

2. A frame structure insertable into the oral cavity for use in connection with emitting source rays, said structure being held in an operative position by the coaction of the lips and teeth and comprising a front frustoconical shaped portion, another integrally formed frustoconical shaped portion connected conversely to one end of said first-mentioned frusto-conical shaped portion to form a horizontal trough for seating the lips therein and for maintianing the upper and lower jaws in an operative position, two muscle extenders each of which is integrally connected to said second-mentioned frusto-conical shaped portion at one side thereof extending the facial muscles from contact with the teeth to allow passage of reflecting and emitting rays, and a triangular shaped dome having one of its surfaces integrally connected to the secondmentioned frusto-conical portion for shielding one portion of the oral cavity from emitting and reflecting rays.

3. A frame structure insertable into the oral cavity for use in connection with emitting source rays, said structure being held in an operative position by the coaction of the lips and teeth and comprising a front frustoconical shaped portion, another integrally formed frustoconical shaped portion connected conversely to one end of said first-mentioned frusto-conical shaped portion to form a trough for seating the lips therein and for maintaining the upper and lower jaws in an operative position, at least one muscle extender integrally connected to said second-mentioned frusto-conical shaped portion at one side thereof for extending the facial muscles from contact with the teeth to allow passage of reflecting and emitting rays, and a triangular-shaped dome adapted to conform to the palate of the oral cavity for deflecting emitting rays and allowing the upper and lower teeth to be exposed to emitting and reflecting rays.

4. A frame structure insertable into the oral cavity for use in connection with emitting source rays, said structure being held in an operative position by the coaction or" the lips and teeth and comprising a front frustoconical shaped portion, another integrally formed frustoconical shaped portion connected conversely to one end of said first-mentioned frusto-conical shaped portion to form a trough for seating the lips therein and for main taining the upper and lower jaws in an operative position, two muscle extenders each of which is integrally connected to said second-mentioned frusto-conical shaped portion at one side thereof extending the facial muscles from contact with the teeth to allow passage of reflecting and emitting rays, and a triangular-shaped dome disposed intermediate said muscle extenders adapted to conform to the palate of the oral cavity for deflecting emitting rays and allowing the upper and lower teeth to be exposed to emitting and reflecting rays.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 770,854 Hare Sept. 27, 1904 1,137,393 Fogg Apr. 27, 1915 2,809,632 Von Sosdy Oct. 15, 1957 

